Shock absorbing and energy return system for board sports

ABSTRACT

A skiing mechanism comprises an elongated board, a first plate and a second spring plate, comprised of two separate &amp; fastened material(s), one continuous material, or one spring plate integrated with board at manufacture. The first spring plate includes an angled section with a first predetermined cant directed toward the tip of the board. This angled section is separated from the board by a first distance. Furthermore, the second spring includes a section angled according to a second predetermined cant directed toward the tail of the board. This section of the second spring plate is separated from the board by a second distance.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/055,892 filed on 23, May 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of sporting equipment. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a binding attached to aski mechanism that allows for increased vertical jumping capability,reduced impact on the rider, and overall performance enhancement.

2. Description of Related Art

Snowboards, wakeboards and similar devices are being used withincreasing popularity. A snowboard is a single-ski mechanism that istypically longer than a skateboard, designed for riding on snow. Awakeboard is a single-ski mechanism of similar size for riding on water.Currently, most snowboards & wakeboards (“boards”) are provided with apair of bindings that are attached diagonally across the top surface ofthe board. Before riding, a boot (for snowboards) or bare foot (forwakeboards) of the rider is placed within each binding and held in afixed position. Unlike snow skis, snowboards & wakeboards do not haveautomatic release capability. The reason is that a rider needs tolaterally transfer or to longitudinally transfer his or her center ofgravity in order to change directions of the snowboard. This allows thesnowboard to carve through the snow instead of sliding over it, withoutfear of an inadvertent release.

During use, the board yields substantial forces on the bindings as arider performs turns, lands jumps and the like. These forces reverberateto the rider, which can cause an uncomfortable experience. For example,some riders may experience pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hip joints &lower back.

To provide a more comfortable experience, in prior designs, pads ofresilient material have been placed between the bindings and the board.These pads provide some shock absorbing “give” in the binding when therider performs turns or jumps. However, it is not uncommon for thesepads to become dislodged during the activity. In the event that a padbecomes dislodged and the rider is unaware of this mechanical failure,the rider may experience loss of control during a run due to thecurrent, flexible state of the binding. This could cause the rider toloose control during the run and suffer a severe injury. Other designs(Ref's. 1,2,3,4) have incorporated shock-absorbing features into abinding, or have incorporated extra curved surfaces into the boarditself (Ref's. 5,6) to absorb shocks. These designs require the rider topurchase an entirely new binding system (Ref's. 1,2,3,4) or new board(Ref's. 5,6) thus increasing the cost.

It is desirable to produce a lightweight binding interface that not onlyprovides a smoother, all-around riding experience, but also increasesthe performance characteristics of the system, without increasing therider's risk of injury. It is also desirable to produce a design, whichaccomplishes the above goals without necessarily requiring the rider toreplace existing equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a snow orwaterskiing mechanism comprising an elongated board, a first plate and asecond cantilevered spring plate. The first plate includes a firstsection attached to the board and a second section angled from the firstsection according to a first predetermined cant and directed toward thetip of the board. The second section of the spring plate is separatedfrom the board by a first angle. Furthermore, the second spring includesa first section attached to the board and a second section angled fromthe first section according to a second predetermined cant and directedtoward the tail of the board. The second section of the second springplate is separated from the board by a second distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the presentinvention in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a wire frame illustrative embodiment of asnowboard featuring binding mounting inserts, grouped in two sets offour.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate beingmounted to a snowboard.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative embodiment of a 2-piece spring plate afterbeing mounted on a snowboard.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard featuring a pair of2-piece spring plates.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative embodiment of a typical binding in the processof being mounted to one of the 2-piece spring plates shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment of a pair of bindings mounted tothe 2-piece spring plates, which are mounted to a typical snowboard.

FIGS. 7A, &B, 7C, 7D an 7E are an illustrative embodiment of five viewsof a 1-piece spring plate.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are illustrative embodiments of a disc whichattaches the binding of FIG. 6 to the spring plate.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustrative embodiment of the disc and bindingbase enabling angular adjustability of a typical binding.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative embodiment of a snowboard with integratedspring plates and attached bindings, shown in 4 views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a skiing mechanism that providesimproved jumping and cushioning effects on the rider. It is contemplatedthat the “skiing mechanism” includes a snowboard, water ski or any othersurface-riding device. Herein, a snowboard implementation of the skiingmechanism is described. The exemplary implementation should be broadlyconstrued as illustrative in nature in order to represent the spirit ofthe invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment ofa snowboard is shown. Snowboard 100 includes an elongated board 110 madeof wood, metal and/or coated with fiberglass, plastic or any otherwaterproof material. Board 110 typically includes four, six, eight (ormore) metallic machine-threaded mounting inserts, which in thisembodiment are grouped in two sets 120 and 130. As shown, each set ofmounting inserts 120 or 130 is arranged in accordance with anindustry-standard 4 cm×4 cm pattern. Of course, the mounting inserts maybe arranged to be compatible with other patterns such as a triangularformation (e.g., using 3 machine-threaded inserts, each insertapproximately 2 inches apart from a neighboring insert) or a slottedconfiguration.

As shown, mounting inserts 120 and 130 are placed on board 110equidistant from its tip 140 and tail 150. However, for differentconditions and riding preferences, it is contemplated that othermounting inserts may be placed at different locations of board 110 withoptional caps fastened to the unused mounting inserts. This wouldmitigate water collection and damage to the unused mounting inserts.Alternatively, a manufacturer may produce boards without inserts toallow the rider to select the placement of mounting insert patterns 120and 130.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed view of a wire frame illustrativeembodiment of a 2-piece spring plate 200 is shown. Designed forattachment to one of the sets of mounting inserts (e.g., inserts 120 ofFIG. 1), spring plate 200 is made of a lightweight, climate resistantmaterial. For example, spring plate 200 may be made of a carbon fibercomposite (e.g., graphite), titanium or any other material with similarstrength, fatigue resistance, thickness and memory properties asdescribed below. The memory property is sufficient so that cantileveredspring plate 200 returns to its unloaded position during its usefullife, even after experiencing repeated downward acting impact, bendingand torsion loads.

As further shown, the 2-piece design spring plate 200 comprises firstsection 210 and second section 220. To accommodate the above-mentionedforces, a second section 220 is appropriately sized. Of course, thethickness, material and even the sections of spring plate 200 themselvesmay be varied, depending on the normal weight of the rider, the desiredresponse and the desired cost. For example, more aggressive riders mightwant a stiffer (thicker) configuration for a given weight.

Spring plate 210 includes at least a first and second set of holes 230and 280, which are situated in flat and angled sections 210 and 250,respectively. In particular, holes 230 are drilled out in a patternmatching mounting inserts 120 or 130 of board 110 to snugly retain aplurality of fasteners (e.g., machine-threaded screws, etc.). Thesefasteners 235 would be attached to inserts 120 or 130 for fasteningfirst section 210 securely to a top surface 115 of board 110 of FIG. 1.Inserts 240 may be tapped with machine threads to accommodate fastenersthat attach a binding to second section 220 as shown below. Holes 290are located on second section spring plate 220 and aligned with threadedholes 280 in first section 250 to provide a secure interface betweenspring plate 220 and plate 210.

Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed view of an illustrative embodiment ofthe mounted 2-piece spring plate 200 to board 110 is shown. Firstsection 210 is constructed to receive fasteners 235 (hidden in thisview) through countersunk holes 230 that are pre-drilled at manufactureor produced after manufacture. In this embodiment, holes 230 arearranged into a pre-installed “4×4” hole pattern for alignment withinserts 120 or 130 of board 110 in FIG. 1. Herein, fasteners 235 are4×¼-20 (SI) or 4×M6 (metric) machine-threaded inserts arranged in asquare formation approximately 4 centimeters (1.575 inches) apart fromneighboring inserts. Fasteners 285 pass through holes 290 of section 220and thread into holes 280 in section 250 of first section 210, providinga rigid structure with respect to snowboard 110.

Referring back to FIG. 2, second section 220 of spring plate 200includes inserts 240 (e.g., a group of ¼-20, 6 mm Metric or similarmachine-threaded metal inserts to which any standard binding can beattached). Second section 220 of spring plate 200 is constructed with acant angle 250 when first section 210 of spring plate 200 is flushagainst top surface 115 of board 110. Cant 250 normally ranges from five(5) degrees to fifteen (15) degrees from top surface 115 of snowboard110. As shown, cant 250 is approximately ten (10) degrees. The cantassociated with a spring plate attached to the other insert 120 or 130of board 110 may be identical to cant 250 of spring plate 200 or varyslightly therefrom. As an option, a flexible, waterproof material may beapplied between a bottom side of second section 220 of spring plate 200and top surface 115 of board 110. This material would prevent snow andother foreign objects from getting lodged under second section 220.

Referring to FIG. 4, a trimetric view of two spring plates 200 and 300are shown, mounted to top surface 115 of snowboard 110. During a typicalsnowboarding run, the weight from a rider would cause the relative angleof second section 220 of spring plate 200 and 300 to decrease by only afew degrees. When turning and landing jumps, however, forces are appliedto a rider which by design may cause the angle between second section220 and first section 210 to be almost negligible.

Referring to FIG. 5, an isometric view of an illustrative embodiment ofsnowboard 100 with a spring plate 200 mounted to top 115 of board 110.In particular, fasteners 540 are inserted through holes 535 of disc 530,by which binding base 510 is fastened to top surface of spring plate 200by means of inserts 240.

Second section 220 of spring plate 200 is designed to accommodate allexisting types of bindings, including traditional “racing” and “based”style bindings, as well as the more modern “step-in” designs.

Referring to FIG. 6, an isometric view of the illustrative embodiment oftraditional “based” bindings 500 and 700 are shown mounted to secondsection 220 of a spring plate (e.g., spring plate 200). Binding 500 isequipped with a base 510, a highback 520 and a disc 530, but for claritydoes not include standard straps for securing a foot of the rider. It isanticipated that in some configurations, bindings 500 and 700 may beintegrated with second section 220 during manufacture.

Referring to FIG. 7, it is anticipated that the spring plate mayalternatively be comprised of one continuous section, which performs ina similar manner as two fastened sections. Consideration for access toholes 840 is provided by rotating inserts 830 by a set angle, (45degrees in this embodiment) about the center of section 810 with respectto the 2-piece design, and providing thru holes 820. A binding would bemounted to top surface of section 810 in the same manner as describedabove.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, in most manufacturers designs, thereis usually a male/female interlocking pattern 536 placed on the outsideedge of top side 534 of disc 530. The repeated pattern 536 allows forincremental rotation of binding 500 relative to board 110. With thedescribed fasteners 540 of FIG. 5 passing through holes 535 andpartially tightened, binding 500 can be centered and rotated to acomfortable position, at least ranging up to 25 degrees in either aclockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. The pattern gives a range ofoptions to suit the rider's desired stance angle. This pattern typicallycomprises approximately sixty (60) pre-manufactured ridges. These ridgesor teeth typically radiate from the center of disc 530 and are preventedfrom passing through binding base 510 by contact of 45-degree walls 537,meeting at a generally 45-degree angle with mating walls 511 of FIG. 9.

When tightened, these teeth or ridges interlock with offset mirror imagegrooves pre-manufactured into the centered aperture of base 510, therebyfixating base 510 of binding 500 to second section 220 of spring plate200 at the prescribed stance angle. However, other interfaces, such as(i) small squares along the edge of disc 530 which are less thick thanbase 510, and (ii) mating sets spaced equidistant along the centeraperture, could be manufactured and fastened with the same method. Thesize of this interface dictates the incremental rotational precision.

Designs using sixty ridges would provide adjustability in six (6) degreeincrements, while designs with 180 ridges would provide two (2) degreeincrements. By rotating base 510 before placing disc 530 thereon, therider is able to adjust his or her stance angle, within the limits oftheir bindings. As shown, once the desired angle has been obtained,fasteners 540 are inserted through holes 535 of disc 530 and disc 530 islowered into base 510 of binding 500. Then, fasteners 540 are attachedto inserts 240 of top face of spring plate 200. Thus, binding 500 ishard-mounted to second section 220 of spring plate 200.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9C and FIG. 9, customarily base 510 is asthick as disc 530, and is configured with a centered aperture 517 ofbinding 500 angled in a generally conical form so that the size of theaperture 517 in base 510 is the same as face 537 in disc 530 as shown inFIGS. 8A-8C. Likewise, a bottom side of disc 530 features (i) a bottomedge-to-edge diameter 533 corresponding in size to bottom diameter ofthe aperture and (ii) a top edge-to-edge diameter 538 slightly largerthan bottom edge-to-edge diameter 533 and corresponding to the topdiameter of binding base 518. Disc 530 is typically manufactured withradial teeth or ridges 536 sized for insertion into correspondinggrooves 512 along sides of the aperture of base 510.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, FIGS. 8A, 8BB, 8C & FIG. 9, it is to beunderstood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and notrestrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not belimited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown anddescribed, since various other modifications may occur to thoseordinarily skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 10, it is contemplated that the spring plate 220 fromFIG. 2 could also be integrated into the snowboard at manufacture,negating the need for the second section 210 from FIG. 2. Bindings wouldbe attached in a similar manner to that discussed above and in FIG. 5.

References

1) U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,077 December 2007 Bernard Couder 2) U.S. Pat. No.6,655,700 December 2003 Robert John Caputo 3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,525 B2September 2002 Stefan Reuss 4) U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,891 May 2009 Keith M.Orr 5) U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,658 May 2002 Donald P. Stubblefield 6) U.S.Pat. No. 6,394,483 May 2002 Donald P. Stubblefield

1. A skiing mechanism comprising: an elongated board having a tip and atail; and a first spring plate coupled to the board, the first springplate including a first section attached to the board and a secondsection angled from the first section according to a first predeterminedcant and directed toward the tip of the board, the second section isseparated from the board by a first distance; and a second spring platecoupled to the board, the second spring including a first sectionattached to the board and a second section angled from the first sectionaccording to a second predetermined cant and directed toward the tail ofthe board, the second section is separated from the board by a seconddistance.
 2. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the board includesa first set of mounting inserts for the first spring plate and a secondset of mounting inserts for the second spring plate.
 3. The skiingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the first section of the first springplate includes a plurality of inserts and the second section of thefirst spring plate includes a boot or foot binding.
 4. The skiingmechanism of claim 3, wherein a plurality of fasteners are insertedthrough the plurality of inserts and attached to the first set ofmounting inserts.
 5. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein both ofthe first and second predetermined cants are typically less than twentydegrees.
 6. The skiing mechanism of claim 1 further comprising awaterproof material inserted within the first distance between a bottomside of the second section of the first spring plate and a top surfaceof the board.
 7. The skiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond spring plates are made of a flexible material having substantialproperties to return to its unloaded, steady-state position afteradditional forces applied to the spring plates are discontinued.
 8. Theskiing mechanism of claim 1, wherein a nominal thickness of the firstand second spring plates is sized to approximately one-quarter of aninch when the spring plates are made of a graphite composition and sizedfor an average weight rider.
 9. A skiing mechanism comprising: anelongated board having a first set of mounting inserts and a second setof mounting inserts approximately equidistant from the first set ofmounting inserts and a tail of the board; a first spring plate coupledto the board, the first spring plate including (i) a first sectionhaving a plurality of inserts corresponding to the first set of mountinginserts for attachment to the board, and (ii) a second section angledfrom the first section according to a first predetermined cantincreasing in separation distance from the board; and a second springplate coupled to the board, the second spring including (i) a firstsection having a plurality of inserts corresponding to the second set ofmounting inserts for attachment to the board and (ii) a second sectionangled from the first section according to a second predetermined cantand directed toward the tail of the board, the second section isseparated from the board by an increasing distance.
 10. The skiingmechanism of claim 9, wherein the second section of the first springplate includes a boot or foot binding.
 11. The skiing mechanism of claim10, wherein the second section of the second spring plate includes aboot or foot binding.
 12. The skiing mechanism of claim 10, wherein aplurality of fasteners are inserted through the plurality of inserts andthe first set of mounting inserts.
 13. The skiing mechanism of claim 11,wherein a plurality of fasteners are inserted through the plurality ofinserts and the first set of mounting inserts.
 14. The skiing mechanismof claim 9, wherein both of the first and second predetermined cants areless than twenty degrees.
 15. The skiing mechanism of claim 9 furthercomprising a waterproof material inserted within the first distancebetween a bottom side of the second section of the first spring plateand a top surface of the board.
 16. The skiing mechanism of claim 9,wherein the first and second spring plates are made of a flexiblematerial having substantial properties to return to its unloaded,steady-state position after additional forces applied to the springplates are discontinued.
 17. Attached to a snowboard, a spring platecomprising: a first section including a plurality of insertscorresponding to a first set of mounting inserts placed within thesnowboard; and a second section angled from the first section accordingto a predetermined cant increasing in separation distance from thesnowboard, the second section including a boot binding.
 18. The springplate of claim 17, wherein the predetermined cant is approximately 10degrees.
 19. The spring plate of claim 17, wherein the first and secondsections are made of a flexible material having substantial propertiesto return to its unloaded, steady-state position after additional forcesapplied to the spring plate are discontinued.
 20. The spring plate ofclaim 17 further comprising a plurality of fasteners inserted throughthe plurality of inserts for attachment to the first set of mountinginserts.